german gorgeousness and raleigh recap03.03.2011

I’ve been wanting to post some pictures that my publisher in Germany (Fischer Verlag) sent me recently. They’ve been really great about keeping me posted on how MATCHED (which is called DIE AUSWAHL in Germany) is doing. DIE AUSWAHL has reached as high as #6 on the German bestseller lists which is amazing!

The picture above shows the lovely Fischer team (including Julia, Carla, and Christina) in Frankfurt, standing in front of what is apparently called a “Flashmob.” They put this big outdoor display up in one of the squares in the city to help launch the book. If you look closely, you can see the cover on the flashmob behind them. Isn’t that awesome? (And aren’t they all so lovely?)

And this is a picture they sent me of the display in a German bookstore. Love. I’m so grateful to the team at Fischer and also to my other foreign publishers for all their hard work on translating, publicizing, and promoting the book.

I also wanted to mention the end (sob!) of the Breathless Reads tour, which happened last weekend in Raleigh. I have done the cross-country flight with kids (from NY to UT, NY to Seattle, and back) many times. I always think traveling alone without tiny people and their cargo is such a luxury. But then I travel with myself and I realize how much like a small child I am. I always want a snack! I forgot something (my camera)! I need to go to the bathroom again! I spilled my drink! (My steamed milk from Starbucks. So embarrassing, especially because people were like, “What was that?” and I said, “Steamed milk” and tried to act as though people order that all the time from Starbucks. I like it, okay?) But at least I didn’t cry when I spilled it. Ha.

Because of the forgotten camera, I have only this picture of the Raleigh trip (e-mailed to me by the lovely Heather Macbeth, who also brought me a jar of barbecue sauce, which was awesome). But not only does it show Heather, who was so sweet to come, it also shows the awesome bookshelves at Quail Ridge Books and Music. What a great indie store. It was really wonderful to get to see all these fantastic indie stores while were were on tour.

The crowd was fantastic–many of them had driven several hours to be there. I got to see my college roommate Abby (love Abby!) and Rebecca, the sister of another of my college roommates, and also many people I’d “met” via twitter, etc. (Corey!) but never in real life. Thank you all so much for coming and supporting the Breathless Reads Tour! My fellow authors, as always, were hilarious and funny and awesome on the panel and before/after. We got to have dinner together as kind of a finale and it was really bittersweet. I will miss getting to see these ladies and talk with them.

I’ve also responded to all the comments on the past two posts. Thank you very much for your comments and for reading my books even though I am the kind of person who repeatedly loses/forgets her camera and spills things at airports.

OH! I got so giddy looking at the Frankfurt pics. (MY HOME!) I know that place well, right on the Zeil. So exciting that your book is doing so well there. What an awesome feeling that must be! Congrats on your success!

I was at B&N yesterday browsing. I saw another girl reading Matched. I felt (this is so cheesy) instant friendship. You know that feeling when you see someone reading a book you love? That’s what I felt. 🙂

I’m so glad they sent you guys on the tour. A little for selfish reasons, since because of your awesomeness you brought the tour to SLC for all of us to enjoy but also because it looked/sounded fun to get to visit all those fun places and meet wonderful fans.

P.S. Did I ever tell you I found your book through Bridget Lee? We were friends in college. I was just looking at her blog and found a picture of you guys at a launch party. I am glad she recommended your book. 🙂

Thanks so much for the congrats, Warnagirl! (And yes, it was crazy to see a picture like that. So fun.)

warnagirlMarch 7, 2011

Ally, How kind of you to take the time to respond to all of us! You are so kind!

warnagirlMarch 7, 2011

I just realized I used “kind” twice. Argh. Instead: You are so wonderful!

allyMarch 8, 2011

No problem, warnagirl! I don’t know how long I can keep up replying to everyone’s comments but I’m going to do it as often as I can. 🙂

Karen_St_LouisMarch 3, 2011

Hey, I love milk too! In high school I was at a restaurant with my boyfriend and I ordered milk to drink. The waitress looked at me and said, “Milk?! Are you serious?” and made me feel like an idiot.

Your travel story sounded exactly like what I would do too. Tricky when there are no small children along to blame when things go wrong, eh?

It seems like it was fun for you to get to tour with other authors. If I ever get a novel published, I’m really looking forward to connecting with other writers. (Other people who understand why you feel passionately about writing for kids/teens – yay!)

Shari, how fun that you’re doing a Breathless Reads giveaway. Thank you very much for your support of the tour.

Madie LewisMarch 6, 2011

Hello! I’m Madie Lewis, we took a picture together with another kid named Bronson when you were in Raleigh.
I’m slightly ashamed to say this, but I’m not sure how to get you the picture like you asked…I’m sure you have your email somewhere on this website, but being me, I’ve been unable to find it. Could you comment and tell me?

Hi Madie! It was great to meet you and Bronson. My e-mail address is on the FAQ page of the site. Thanks so much for taking the time!

LisaMarch 7, 2011

Good evening,
first I wanted to finish speaking to you congratulations for the success with the book.
I have read your book myself and have sucked it only thus in myself. 😉
I would like to know really so with pleasure when then, finally, the second part comes out.
Many lots of love from Germany

Hi Lisa! The second book comes out in the USA on November 1. I don’t know when it’s coming out in Germany, but I would imagine about a year after the release of MATCHED. I hope that helps! And I’m so glad you enjoyed the book.

Ooh, congrats on being on Germany’s top seller list!!!!
I was actually going to go to the last tour stop in Raleigh, but I woke up under the weather (which totally stunk since I was really looking forward to going). ^_^